People's Fair Won't Be Back in 2019

This is proving to be a bleak year for Denver festivals, both new and old.

First, Grandoozy announced it would be going on "hiatus," after just one year at Overland Golf Course. Then the organizers of the Colorado Classic bike race announced that the music festival Velorama would not be returning to RiNo after two years. (The bike race will continue as a women-only event.)

Continue Reading

Now the People's Fair – which got its start 47 years ago as the Capitol Hill People's Fair — has announced that the fair won't be happening in 2019, and its future after that seems uncertain.

The festival, which moved to Civic Center Park decades ago from the East High School Esplanade, has been a fixture on Denver's June calendar, a celebration of music, art and community causes. But in 2017, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, which had long produced the event, decided to outsource production of the event.

If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.

SHOW ME HOW

Newsletters

SUCCESS!

You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!

“Team Player Productions (TPP) took the reins as event producer of People’s Fair in 2017 and 2018 while longtime producer Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN) reorganized, yet remained involved as the non-profit beneficiary and permit-holder with the City of Denver," explains Jason Ornstein of Team Player, in a statement. "While a wonderful community event, Denver People’s Fair has had its financial challenges over the past several years, and in an increasingly crowded Denver Festival Market, TPP has ultimately decided to put it on hiatus in 2019, as we work together with CHUN to decide the best direction in the coming years.”

And organizers of the People's Fair just posted this on the event's website: "The longstanding tradition of the People’s Fair will be taking a hiatus in 2019 and will look to return in 2020. We would like to thank all of the past supporters of the festival as we work to make People’s Fair even more unique, interactive, and a standout festival in the Denver community."

Update February 10: This story was updated with a statement from Team Player Productions.

Kyle Harris quit making documentaries and started writing when he realized that he could tell hundreds of stories in the same amount of time it takes to make one movie. Now, hooked on the written word, he's Westword’s Culture Editor and writes about music and the arts.

We use cookies to collect and analyze information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and customize content and advertisements. By clicking 'X' or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. To find out more, visit our cookies policy and our privacy policy.